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Old Ebbitt Grill

American Restaurant, Seafood Restaurant, and Breakfast Spot$$$$

Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown, Washington

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Old Ebbitt Grill

9.1^/10

2,802

ratings

Ranked #1 for seafood in Washington
This American restaurant is famous for their oysters. It's one of the most popular in the city!
"Try the eggs chesapeake, they're outstanding!"(15 Tips)
"Late night oyster happy hour from 11-close is the best in the city!"(10 Tips)
"Orca platter 1/2 price during happy hour, great deal!"(9 Tips)
"The Trout Parmesan is huge…but delicious!"(9 Tips)

652 Tips and reviews

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happy hour
chesapeake
good for groups
good for dates
orca platter
bloody maryland
trendy
breakfast food
sandwiches
bar
desserts
healthy food
grits
great value
spacious
eggs
French toast
bread pudding
dinner
chili
(15 more)

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Kevin BeckJuly 5, 2013
One of my best meals in DC. Very attentive staff. Excellent Mussels. From the location and decor I expected this to be an expensive dinner stop but was pleasantly surprised at my tab.
stepherApril 21, 2015
If you're having trouble getting dinner reservations and your schedule allows, try for lunch. We were seated within five minutes on the day of the Easter Egg Roll. Delicious drinks & food.
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
Karli ScottJanuary 19, 2016
Make a reservation in advance if you're coming on a weekend for dinner. This is a busy place, but is really worth the planning. I loved their crab cakes, and everyone else in my party love this place.
Upvoted Sep 20
annlouNovember 6, 2017
Amazing place. It’s cozy. Food and service is good We went for a late lunch and asked to be seated in one of the booths in the bar at the corner.
Bokyung ParkApril 1, 2022
One of the oldest restaurant in D.C. The decor is nice and fresh oysters are excellent. Moderately priced. I recommend making a reservation; this place is always busy.
Adrian PhillipsNovember 28, 2017
Old school DC spot. The place is massive (still want to make a reservation) with 4 bars. They’ll shake your martinis table side. Oysters, crab & artichoke dip and Caesar to start. Veal chop for a main
Charla PayneDecember 12, 2015
The oyster variety was fabulous to try! The restaurant was packed and a little noisy but the service was great and the bar is great! If you want a nice atmosphere then this is the place. Worth the wai
HalaH AAugust 7, 2018
Beef steak tomatoes with pears & yogurt starter was refreshing. The bruschetta was highly recommended! We also tried the crab cake, French toast, and the fried green tomatoes! Good food & big portions
Ashley ChanMarch 7, 2019
A very decent and classic American restaurant close to the White House. I tried the crab cake Benedicts with their home fries which smell sososo great! Nice breakfast before the White House tour.
Trish BurnsideApril 27, 2019
Oysters for sure. Blue crab pasta is to die for!!! Hubby had the meatloaf and said, hands down, “best meatloaf ever.” Definitely make a reservation or be prepared to wait an hour+.
Alex MarieMay 28, 2017
Omg! The crab and artichoke dip is out of this world. Also the pan seared Atlantic salmon my husband loved! Highly recommend. Not so much the cream brûlée. But heard the peanut butter pie is great!
AmiOctober 19, 2017
Been here 5+ times
This place is so good. You really can't go wrong with anything you order here. Everything I've ever had is absolutely delicious. It's also reasonably priced.
Kay TOctober 1, 2016
Been here 5+ times
Hands down, my favorite place in town. Love their food and the oyster happy hours. Book in advance for the evening! Big parties are welcome there, but it's not a perfect choice for those, we tried.
CherylSeptember 7, 2014
Korean tacos are delicious! Handful of draft beers to choose from. Most foods I tried here are delicious. Friendly, helpful staff. Open late (2am) and close to White House. Doesn't disappoint. Trust;)
Maarten AlbardaDecember 1, 2017
Been here 5+ times
We have a family tradition: the day after Thanksgiving we have lunch at Old Ebbitt Grill. We love the history of the place, and the significance of the location. Plus: the food is pretty great!
Jason H.April 2, 2019
Cool place to check out. Busy and energetic. Large bar, comfy booths, all the food is good. Make a reservation if going on a weekend night.
Mikala SMarch 9, 2018
Friendly, efficient bartenders and staff. Great for late night. This is where all the other DC servers and bartenders come, so you know it must be good!
Danielle DaSilvaJuly 13, 2018
A DC institution. Oysters for life! Close to the Mall and gets crowded so reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner, but you can usually drop in late night for a spot at the bar.
ElisaApril 6, 2019
Can be a bit of a wait but you can put your name down and walk around. Crab cakes are so good. Their pina colada is great. Oatmeal cookie alcoholic drink is also great.
Behrad EatsSeptember 2, 2012
Must try the Good Burger with blue cheese, jalapeño onion marmalade, shredded lettuce with A-1 aioli and of course bacon on the side.
Krista GentileNovember 18, 2013
The oysters were great the crab and spinach dip was awesome! Mussels are delicious and they give you a large amount. Crab cakes were good and you must try the casanelloa de Casa, amazing! Get dessert
Rob CampbellJuly 27, 2015
The wings are really good. They aren't necessarily buffalo or hot wings but they have a lot of flavor and may make you sweat and will make your tongue sensitive but if you like wings you'll like these
Richard RevillaJanuary 24, 2015
Food is always amazing. Have brunch and enjoy a piece of history. Someone very important once sat where you are sitting. Lucky you. Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington DC.
Christina Tyler WenksNovember 4, 2017
Artichoke dip, crab cakes, raw oysters... Old Ebbitt never disappoints. Dinner reservations are best on weekends and near holidays. Worth the wait if you choose to wait at one of the bars.
Reagan BarbosaFebruary 13, 2017
The Oyster Stew was quite delicious, and my mother really enjoyed her jumbo lump crab cake. Trout was just ok. Of course, the atmosphere is the real pull of this place:) Been around since 1856.
Shawn CallahanNovember 16, 2016
Don't be put off by a long wait for a table. They'll give you a device to tell you when your table is ready and just head to one of their 3 bars and get the pre-dinner drinks started.
Garrie FarrowMay 19, 2014
The place had an hour to hour & half wait for a table, but you can eat in the bar. The bartenders were fantastic great drinks (see the pic). Even with the crowd, they provided excellent service.
Guillermo MendozaJanuary 8, 2019
Great place overall. Awesome oysters Rockefeller, all food we tried was great and top class service. We'll definitely come back.
Mike KalenOctober 12, 2014
Traditional DC power scene. Eat at one of the two bars. The bar in the back is better. More traditional. Oysters were great. Pasta with sausage and lobster pot pie were very good.
Deborah BatesMarch 10, 2016
Mad Men feel, Old Washington Congressman feel, Dark, just found out every president since 1856 has been here, Crab Cake (which buy the way, was mostly lump crab, AMAZING!)
Edgar EJune 30, 2016
BBQ Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese and Crab Cakes were so good. Also, had a solid beer selection. But if you can, come back for the breakfast.
Darnell JonesSeptember 20, 2016
The crab cakes are excellent. Also enjoyed the clam chowder. However the ambience is it strongest point! Come on, less than 2 blocks from the White House!
Wim MathuesMay 27, 2019
Known for their seafood, the crab omelet was great, but I also enjoyed the Cubano Sandwich! Fast and friendly service, but when it's busy you know when they want you to go asap...
Camilo AngelMay 18, 2019
Established in the first half of the nineteenth century, this restaurant is still a gem. Open until late, so you can have drinks in the city and then stop for a bite.
Hunter ThomasNovember 11, 2015
Classic DC spot, worth the wait or snag a spot at the bar. Crab artichoke dip is a must. Great oyster spread. Dig the steak salad, too. Great service.
Annette HAugust 7, 2022
Stately place, great atmosphere, excellent bartender, great food. Recommended to me by a Secret Service guy & he was spot on. Ducked in to avoid storm & missed being struck my lightning by 30 mins.
Jamie HutchinsOctober 11, 2014
Get the special Bloody Mary with the shrimp dressing. Great oysters always (check the annual Oyster festival). Country ham breakfast with fried green tomatoes - welcome start.
Katie CarrJuly 6, 2016
I had the shrimp with pimento cheese grit cakes 😳 All I can say is AAAMAZING! Crab dip appetizer was awesome as well!
Jake SmithMay 19, 2014
Sit at the bar, order some adventurous beers and and appetizer (namely, the crab and artichoke dip), immerse yourself in the unique experience of this historical locale.
Juan DiezJanuary 17, 2016
Great value, great food. Awesome sandwiches and crabcakes, perfect location and broad wine and beer selection.
Ashleigh AdamsJuly 27, 2018
Get reservations to come here. “Open Table” is an app that tells you which reservation time slots are available and where (across whole cities), and lets you book directly with those places.
Anita Wagner IlligMay 11, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Love the Old Ebbitt, what a fabulous tradition and and DC institution. A close friend and I have lunch there weekly. Never had a bad meal there, and prices aren't bad, either. Gr8 fried oyster stew!
Daycation DCJuly 8, 2013
Washington, DC’s oldest saloon full of history. Try the Crab and Artichoke Dip, Cannelloni di Casa, or Parmesan Shrimp Caesar Wrap - all are excellent lunch choices. Read more
Elle PilosenoMarch 10, 2014
The original old ebbitt was my parents' favorite place in the 70s! They assure me that the burgers are just as amazing now as they were then. I recommend the "good burger"!
Raied FarghalyAugust 15, 2018
Service by tutu was awesome. Get the chicken and bruschetta and crab cake.
Aniruddha MandkeJuly 28, 2015
Fascinating place. Warm atmosphere. Talk to your waiter/waitress about customizing your food. Ask for suggestions - they know their food. Excellent place for brunch.
PeterSeptember 2, 2016
Been here 5+ times
Food is always great - no matter what you try. Service is good too. Try the crab cakes and the oysters!
Roll CMay 6, 2015
Homemade chowder and half price oysters and crab claws before 6pm! Closeby the White House, frequented by locals too.
Brent GatewoodDecember 19, 2017
The fennel sausage garganelli was great! The cocktail, Holy Grail, excellent as well. Do yourself a favor and stop by...
UriApril 8, 2013
Nice place with an amazing grilled kansas city strip steak, specially parried with Mas Petit! Number 125 on wine menu (Cab with a bit of Grenache..)

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